A solar future: powering Queensland’s renewable energy industries

We are actively growing the renewable energy sector in Queensland - creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We’ve implemented a comprehensive package of initiatives to support the sustainable growth of solar photovoltaics (PV) in Queensland.

Our target

We have set a target for 1 million rooftops or 3,000 megawatts of solar photovoltaics in Queensland by 2020. This will help lower electricity costs for families and businesses, create jobs and protect the environment.

With over 465,000 households already connected to solar, Queensland has the highest number of installations in Australia. This number continues to grow as solar PV is cheaper than grid-supplied electricity in many cases.

Our solar target will help Queensland grow solar PV on businesses, community buildings and even large commercial or industrial sites.

Initiatives

A fair price for solar

Following the Queensland Productivity Commission’s public review into solar feed-in pricing, we’ve made some changes to the regional feed-in tariff and monitoring arrangements in South East Queensland. This includes:

introducing an optional time varying feed-in tariff (T-FiT)

expanding regional feed-in tariff eligibility to include systems up to 30 kilowatts in size

continued monitoring of feed-in tariffs in South East Queensland by the Queensland Competition Authority.

Statutory voltage limits

We’ve amended the Electricity Regulation 2006 to align Queensland’s distribution network voltage limits with Australian and international best practice standards.

As a result of the new voltage limits, electrical appliances and equipment will operate more efficiently at lower voltages. Ergon Energy and Energex can also relax their connection requirements, making it easier and cheaper to connect solar PV or battery energy storage systems to the grid.

Advancing Clean Energy Schools

The Advancing Clean Energy Schools program has canvassed the energy industry for ideas to help reduce state school energy costs using solar and energy efficiency measures. The Queensland Government has committed $97 million to delivering solar and energy efficiency solutions for its state schools.

Solar for public housing trial

Public housing tenants face multiple barriers to accessing solar due to high upfront costs and short-term tenancies.

A first-of-its kind trial is being conducted to overcome these barriers and deliver electricity savings to some of the community’s most vulnerable electricity customers.

Solar 150: large-scale solar investment

The Solar 150 initiative, in collaboration with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), will help support the development of local, large-scale solar projects. This will provide a long-term revenue contract to successful Queensland bidders.

News and publications

A proud White Ribbon Accredited Workplace, in recognition of the active steps taken to recognise, prevent, respond and support staff affected by domestic and family violence. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace.

Visit us at www.business.qld.gov.au for more information about applying for a resource authority. You can also lodge and track the progress of most applications online through MyMinesOnline.

For general enquiries contact the relevant assessment hub.

Mineral Assessment Hub

The Mineral Assessment Hub administers mineral mining permits. These include mining claims, mining leases, mineral development licences, exploration permits and prospecting permits. If a mining lease or mining claim for a mineral (other than coal) is located in the Quilpie, Emerald and Winton districts, these permits are still administered by the Small Scale Mining Assessment hub.

Small Scale Mining Assessment Hub

The Small Scale Mining Assessment Hub and administers all mining claims and mineral mining leases for opal, gemstones, and corundum or other precious stones predominately located in the Quilpie, Emerald and Winton districts.

Native Title Services

The Queensland Government's Native Title Services is the first point of contact to advise you on land that may be subject to native title and inquiries about the native title process for mining and petroleum authorities.

National Native Title Tribunal

The National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) is an independent body set up under the Native Title Act. The NNTT is not a court and doesn't decide whether native title exists. It makes decisions regarding whether 'future acts' can proceed and mediates negotiations.

Visit us at www.business.qld.gov.au to find out about health and safety requirements for Queensland's petroleum and gas industry.

For gas emergencies call 000 and the emergency contact numbers displayed at the incident location.

Consumer enquiries

The Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate does not regulate petrol, diesel or the price of fuel. For more information about fuel pricing, or to make a complaint, please visit the government's Consumer rights website.

Gas use, safety and general enquiries

Gas work licence and authorisations, certificate book and plate orders

Visit Business Queensland to apply for a gas work licence or authorisation, order books or plates, or to find more information. For licensing or authorisation enquiries, contact us Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.